Tungsten Direct FAQs

So you're looking to buy a tungsten ring? Well the Internet is a great place to find the perfect ring, however there are a few things that you should look for when considering which site to buy from. Since the advent of the Internet there are always people who try to jump on a hot trend and ride the wave only to bail out after the excitement dies down. We see this happening now due to the popularity of tungsten carbide rings. Here we will attempt to answer some of the most common questions customers ask us as well as some important things to look out for to make sure that your jeweler will be around in the months and years after you make your purchase to service any needs you may have.

Q: DO YOUR RINGS HAVE COBALT?

A: Many manufacturers of tungsten carbide wedding band rings use cobalt as a binder, mostly because it is cheaper to produce. The problem with cobalt is that it bonds with oils in the skin and leeches out of the ring resulting in oxidation. The oxidation appears similar to tarnished sliver, but cannot be removed by polishing or grinding. The better choice is nickel-binder tungsten carbide which is chemically inert, will not oxidize and because it is hypoallergenic, there is no danger of irritation to the skin. Be careful about dealing with a jeweler that doesn't specify that their tungsten wedding bands are made with the nickel binder alloy. Many jewelry stores do not know which alloy they are selling, and if they don't know, it is most likely cobalt alloy or pure tungsten, which lacks the hardness of tungsten carbide and are easily scratched. Tungsten Direct DOES NOT USE COBALT in any rings or jewelry.

Q: I HAVE HEARD THAT YOU SHOULD ORDER A HALF SIZE SMALLER THAN NORMAL?

A: We have found this to be true, largely due to the comfort fit of our Tungsten Carbide rings. Luckily you don't have to get it right the first time, our lifetime sizing guarantee means that if your ring does not fit, simply send it back and exchange it for a different size. But to have a higher chance of getting it right the first time you may want to size down a half size (eg. 9.5 to 9).

Q: ARE TUNGSTEN RINGS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE IN AN EMERGENCY?

This is not true at all. The easiest way to remove tungsten carbide rings is to use a tool such as a vise or vise grips which can be used to shatter the ring. To complete the procedure simply put the ring in the vise or vise grips and slowly apply pressure. The ring will eventually break into large pieces leaving the finger unharmed. Emergency care providers also have specialized tools that allow them to easily break the tungsten ring into large pieces. This is much easier and less dangerous than when compared to removing gold, silver or titanium rings which are much more likely to damage the finger.

Q: WHY DON'T YOU HAVE AS MANY STYLES AS SOME OTHER WEB SITES?

A: This is a great question. There are some sites that list 50-100+ styles of tungsten rings. What a great idea...isn't it? This would be a good thing if only they had the rings in stock. We have yet to find a jeweler or web site that will keep all sizes in all styles fully stocked like we do here at Tungsten Direct. If you don't believe us go to any of the sites and look for your size. If you are not a size 9, 10, or 11 chances are you won't find it. We believe that listing tons of styles does nothing but confuse and anger customers. Every ring you see at Tungsten Direct is stocked with sizes 5-15. Don't be fooled by appearances. A dedicated jeweler will have your size on hand and ready to ship, if they don't be concerned that they are not in it for the long run, but trying to make a quick buck by drop shipping products.

Q: WHAT MAKES YOUR LIFETIME WARRANTY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER WEBSITES?

A: When you purchase a tungsten ring most sites advertise a Lifetime Warranty. Well that really sounds great but what if the site suddenly disappears? It has been our experience that internet jewelry sites come and go. As soon as something becomes popular numerous sites suddenly appear. The honest truth about warranties is that websites that do not produce their own rings have little control over their ability to back lifetime warranty claims, because suppliers also come and go. Tungsten Direct always maintains adequate inventory to cover any potential claims. Further we are the manufacturer and can have rings custom made upon request. This fact alone separates Tungsten Direct from over 95% of all other jewelry sites.